May 2002 - Region 1 - John E. Flay
SWEET CHARITY
All Saints Musical Productions
Director: Barry Hall
Musical Director: Trevor Brooks
Dance Director: Christine Meadows
This warm hearted musical was the first presentation for their new venue, The Quays Theatre, at the Lowry.
In the title role was Catherine Doherty whose understanding of Charity made the audience warm to her from her first entrance. Catherine brought out the pathos of her character as she took us through the exploits of her failed love affairs. Stephen Stubbs was the neurotic Oscar who is set to marry until Sweet Charity's job comes between them. There was Nickie (Carole Smithies), Helene (Rachel Barrington) and Carmen (Natalie Burke) and only the director knows why he enlarged the latter part to that of the others which I felt weakened Nickie and Helene. Elizabeth and Alan Titley as Ursula and Vittono made their mark. The 'New Yorkers' were well rehearsed and moved round the composite set with ease.
It was a shame the overall direction was so limited. The orchestra was as it should be, another character and there was very crisp playing.
BABES IN THE WOOD
Holy Rood Stage Society
Director: John Wilkinson
Musical Director: John Wilkins
Dance Director: Shirley Hyde
"Join the Adventures of Our Greatest Hero!" This NODA pantomime by Leonard H. Caddy had all the right ingredients for a successful production.
The action was kept moving by this large and enthusiastic cast with dance, stage business and audience participation to make sure that attentions did not wander.
It would be wrong of me to single out any individual performance for everyone was equal giving their best. The society's new sound system aided the cast greatly and the three piece band was effective. Great effort was given to the making of scenery and costumes. This festive cracker was an admirable team success.
JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR® DREAMCOAT
The Jewish Theatre Group Youth Section
Director: Robert Margolis
Musical Director: David Wilson
Dance Director: Debbie Margolis
We all know it was this musical that led to Andrew Lloyd Webber's domination of musical theatre and this young cast of 46 gave an interpretation which Mr Webber would have approved of.
The part of the Narrator was split for this production with Aimee Harwich and Katy Lipson giving vocal delight and setting the musical standard for the rest of the show. There was a gold nugget performance which came from Adam Paulden as Pharoah; his rock style number with the company was a show stopper. It was exhausting to watch all that energy and enthusiasm which was brought together by the sure directorial hand of Robert Margolis with attractive choreography by his talented sister Debbie.
"Technicolor" is the only word to describe the set, lighting and costumes. Credit must also go to the M.D. David Wilson who brought all the singing and music to a blazing dramatic high standard. Thank you JTG for a very enjoyable night at the theatre.
MOTHER GOOSE
Urmston Musical Theatre
Director: Doreen Cockshott
Musical Director: Eileen Salt
Dance Director: Julie Broadbent
This was the strongest cast this society has produced for their seasonal offering. Marina Anderson was the best principal boy I have seen for many a season and she had just the right principal girl (Elizabeth Blackley) to play opposite.
Once again the comedy was in the safe hands of John Walker as Mother Goose. There was notable stage presence from James Darsley as Bobby.
Margaret Johnson as Pinkety Poppitt and Steve McGillivray, the Demon Despot, gave assured performances. The rest of the cast provided plenty of drive and the band were on good form.
Sets were simple and there was more singing and dancing than routines but lots of charm, leaving the audience full of festive cheer.
THE PIED PIPER
Sale Nomads
Director: Terry Hollinshead
Musical Director: Ian Gander
Dance Director: Val Jellyman
Dance Director (children): Muriel Spavin
I think I am right in saying this is their 54th annual panto. In fact, it was because of visiting a Nomad Panto (and seeing the brilliant Roland Peaks) that I came into "Amdrams" - now you know who to blame.
After losing their home, Sale Civic Theatre, St Paula Church Hall with a stage half the size is now their new home.
The Nomads presented a professional panto using all their experience. The direction was witty and sharp with splendid choreography and a good song selection.
There was lots of hectic action from the energetic cast with Pam Shape as Dotty Dumbkoff who reminded me of the great Hylda Baker and in support were Lee Parkinson, Corin Travis, Brian Tickle and David Black helping with the comedy.
Emma Holmes and Sandie Cowls, as Rosamund and Hans, were well cast. It was a real team effort from the whole company, even the wicked Pied Piper (Colin Titley) had the audience in his pocket.
This festive offering would be hard to beat.
RUN FOR YOUR WIFE
P.A.D.O.S. Theatre Group
Director: Brian Seymour
This is one of the best farces by the master of that an form Ray Cooney. The story tells of John Smith who has two lives with two wives until an accident leaves him with mild concussion causing his two lives to cross.
In farce when the action starts it has to flow and build and build it is the definition of ensemble playing. The cast gave us identifiable lives and characters led by Peter Cheetham as John Smith who was nothing less than definitive.
Three delightful comic performances came from both Mrs Smiths played by Jayne Leggett and Samantha Taylor, also Keith Lomas as Bobby Franklyn. All the other cast members made important contribution. Direction was swift and fluid and the set worked well.
THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
The Manchester Universities Gilbert & Sullivan Society
Director: Alasdair King
Musical Director: Justin Morley
In true MUGSS tradition, their production of Pirates was energetic, lively and comical. Every musical number was well executed.
The simplified movement was skilfully presented and ideally suited for the originality of entire production. I particularly liked the non-moving, non speaking part of the ship's 'Figure Head'.
It was obvious the whole cast enjoyed the show by the mere fact of their commitment and enthusiasm. Everyone showed their dedication and it would be inappropriate to name any one member of the cast.
Musical Director Justin Morley read the score well. Congratulations also to the entire production team. May I thank the society far a most enjoyable evening of pure entertainment. (Dr. M.D.)
BRIGADOON
Sale & Altrincham Musical Theatre
Director. Liam Sammon
Musical Director: Janet Archer
Dance Director: Andrea Balloch
Brigadoon was the first major success for Lerner and Loewe but it seems to stand aside from their other collaborations.
Technically the scenery by Margaret Norris, costumes from Midland Costumes and Robert Watkinson lighting design deserve a special mention for their excellent, though unobtrusive contributions.
The chorus worked incredibly hard but it was the experience of people like Peter Clough that kept them together.
In the main parts were Jeff Harpin as Tommy Albright, Caroline Price who played Fiona and John Ranson who did a splendid job with the difficult role of Mr Murdoch.
Singing was varied in quality but the Northenden Pipe Band was quite a dramatic highlight. Andrea Balloch's choreography was excellently delivered by the dancers.
After the performance I had the pleasure of presenting long service awards: congratulation to Pam Lloyd and Jean Wood.
COX A BOX and THE SORCERER
Sale Gilbert & Sullivan Society
Director: Alistair Dunkin
Musical Director: Mark Goggins
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of this society was a revival of their first presentation in 1972 of Cox & Box using their resident director who is ex-D'Oyly Cane.
I feel that using a Professional director with concentrated rehearsals in the shortest of time does not give the company enough time to let their characters and the authors intentions to cultivate - rehearsals should be a journey of discovery.
In saying that this society is blessed with voices which can do justice to Sullivan's score. I would like to see one day this curtain-raiser in its original form instead of this 'Savoy' version.
The Sorcerer was the same production as their 1990 presentation without the 'Imps of deadly shade'. All credit must go to the cast who worked so hard to bring the first major collaboration of Gilbert & Sullivan alive.
Performances of note came from Anthony Noden as the vicar of Ploverleigh, Dr. Daly, Eileen Jackson for the betrothed daughter of Lady Sangazure and that dealer in magical spells John Wellington Wells played by Bob Wardle.
Once again M.D. Mark Goggins shaped the score with a sure touch.
FRANKENSTEIN THE PANTO
St Luke's Arts & Drama Society
Director: Sonia Whittle
Musical Director: Bill Watson
Dance Directors: Glenys Brady & Sonia Whittle
This is a great script and gives everything for a "today" audience which on the night I attended was full of kids. Once again this society pulled out all the stops and those kids were cheering and shouting they were totally entranced.
Noticeably the cast created credible characters from their parts, with Nicola and Natalie Grundy playing Heidi and Prince Ludwig. In the role of Professor Crackpot was Julie Martin, the making of the monster scene went well.
Standing in at the last minute was Gill Bowen who scored well with the audience as Miss Nellie. Comedy came from husband and wife team Sonia and Paul Whittle as Granule and Dracula - the pair caused mayhem and the packed audience simply loved it. All this added up to a cracking helping of festive fun.